One Thing (Psalm 27, 28, & 29)

Remember the Finger Eleven song, “One Thing” from a few years ago? Or how about the scene from “City Slickers” when Billy Crystal is taught that only “one thing” matters? Maybe it’s true. Until we make our lives about one thing, everything gets kind of lost and messed up. So do you have a one thing? And, if so, what is it?

In today’s reading (Psalm 27, 28, & 29) the author (David) reveals that he has a one thing, and tells what it is: “One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple” (Psalm 27:4). David was so overwhelmed with God’s greatness, love, power, that his one thing was, “I just want to look at him.”

If you’re like me, you may think, “Well, I agree, but it’s hard to stay like that. I get distracted from my one thing too easy.” And that’s where discipline and self-talk come in. We see that in this Psalm, where David finds it necessary to reminds himself of his one thing, and kind of scold himself when he starts to lose focus, “My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, LORD, I will seek” (Psalm 27:8) So maybe instead of just accepting distractions, we need to give ourselves a good talking to when we start to drift. Maybe get some practice now. Go yell at yourself for awhile. Might be fun…